Toy pistol



Nov. 15, 1932. w. H. BREWSTER, JR

TOY PISTOL Filed March 9, 1952 Patented Nov. 15, 1932 UNETEQ SfiATES VIILLIAM H. BREVISTE-R, JR., OF VERONA, 1\ TE\V JERSEY TOY PISiTOL Application filed March 9, 1932. Serial No. 597,658.

lly invention relates to toy pistols, and more particularly to an article of this character embodying therein a ribbon feeding mechanism.

An article of the type to which the invention relates must be composed of few parts, so assembled as to ensure the desired permanency of these parts.

In the pistol of the invention, the construction and arrangement of parts is such as to not only ensure reliability in the feeding of the ribbon in relation to the hammer mechanism, but to permit the exposure of the ribbon support and of the feeding mechanism therefor in a manner to facilitate the threading of the ribbon through the device.

The feeding mechanism itself is so constructed that with each actuation of the trigger, the ribbon will be firmly clamped against a rotatable drum member throughout a considerable length of the ribbon, and be freed from this engagement upon the return movement of the trigger.

The hammer receives a timely actuation toward the end of the trigger movement, the engagement of the hammer with the ribbon preventing a return movement of the feeding mechanism and ensuring the release of the clamping mechanism with the return of the trigger to normal.

The construction and arrangement of parts is such that there is a visible flash as the pistol is fired, which makes the use of the toy more attractive to a child. 7

The construction of a toy pistol embodying the invention is such that the ribbon feeding mechanism is controlled by both the trigger and the hammer, the actuation of the hammer and the release of the clamp being controlled by the movement or the position of the drum of the feeding mechanism to ensure the air rely raising and release of the hammer and the resetting of the clamp mechanism.

Ihe mechanism embodies but few parts, all of which may be unfinished castings. These parts are so formed as to facilitate their assembly a completed to d to avoid p J cu possibility or their displacement after their assembly.

The 1nvention consists primarily in a toy pistol embodying therein a bi-part casing, means forsecuring the parts of the casing together, a spindle for a reel of ribbon, a rotatable drum, a spring actuated hammer, a spring restored trigger, a clamp member carried by said trigger, a ratchet wheel carried by said drum, means'carried by said clamp member co-operating withsaid ratchet wheel, whereby with the movement of said trigger in one direction, said clamp member will be moved toward said drum and said drum will receive a partial rotation, and with the movement of said trigger in the opposite direction, said clamp member will be moved away from said drum, means carried by said hammer engageable by said ratchet wheel whereby movement of said drum will actuate said hammer, said casing having an opening therein adjacent said ribbon spindle, said clamp member and said drum, and a movable closure for said opening; and in such other novel features of construction and combination of parts as are hereinafter set forth and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims hereto ap- 75 pended.

Referring to the drawing,

Fig. 1 is a side View of a toy pistol embodying the invention with the loading closure positioned to permit the mounting of a roll of ribbon and the threading of the end thereof, in relation to the ribbon feeding mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a similar view with one of the sides of the pistol removed; 85

Fig. 3 is a section on the line-33 of Fig.

4; and

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 44 of Fig. 2.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views. 90

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawing, I employ a bi-part casing consisting of two side castings 10 and 11, one of which, as 10, has formed integrally therewith, a spindle 12 adapted to receive a roll of ribbon, a spacing stud 13 for facilitating the attachment of the two sides of the casing and the spring of the hammer mechanism, and a seat 14 for the spring of the trigger mechanism. The parts 12, 13 and 1e form a part of the casting for the side 10. These castings simulatean ordinary automatic pistol, and each of the castings 10 and 11 is recessed at 15, forwardly of the butt, as shown at 16, to afford clearance for the movement of the trigger and the actuation of the feeding and hammer mechanism as a result of this movement.

Within the casing is a rotatable narrow drum 17 having, at one edge thereof, a ratchet wheel 18, the teeth of which are formed as shown, and at opposite sides thereof trunnions 19 and 20 adapted to enter bearings in the sides 10 and 11 of the casing.

The hammer proper consists of a firing head 21 arranged to engage the periphery of the drum 17, a laterally offset portion 22 carrying a spur 23 engageable with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 18, and trunnions 2 and 25 mounted in hearings in the two sides 10 and 11 of the casing. The spur 23 ispositioned between the trunnions 24 and 25 and the hammerhead 21.

Acting upon said hammer is a spring 26, one end of which engages a seat 27 upon the hammer, and the other end of which engages the stud 13, as shown more particularly in Fig. 2 of the drawing. The spring 26 is provided with a coil intermediate its length, which coil incloses one of the trunnions as 25. I Mounted upon one of the trunnions 19 of the drum 17 is a frame 28 having pivoted thereto at 30 a trigger 29. Formed integrally with the trigger 29 is a curvedclamp member 31 conforming to and extending along a considerable portion of, the periphery of the drum and adapted, when pressure is applied to the trigger, to be engaged with said drum.

Forming a part of the trigger casting is an integral pawl 32 engageable with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 18. No spring acts'upon the trigger casting, but a coiled spring 33 encircles one of the trunnions, as 19, of the drum 17, with one end thereof engaging the seat 14 and the other end thereof engaging the swing frame 28 in a manner to have a normal tendency to restore the trigger to its normal set position. i

The clamp member 31 extends throughout a considerable portion of the periphery of the drum 17 an d is curved to conform to the perimeter of the drum so as to afford an ample gripping area between this clamp member and said drum.

In the side of the side casting 11 is an opening 34:, the dimensions of which are sufficient to permit the mounting of a roll 35 of ribbon upon the spindle 12 and the end of this roll to be threaded between the clamp member 31 and the perimeter of the drum 17. Closing the opening 34ris a closure plate 36 pivoted to the casing by means of a screw 37, engaging the side plate 10 and passing through a boss 38 forming a part of the closure casting 36. Within the boss 38 is a coiled spring 39 V acting against the bottom of this boss and 1 against the head of the screw 37 so as to permit movement of the plate 36 away from the side casting 11 to facilitate the free turning movement, while avoiding rattling, of th s closure. The screw 37 also serves to unite the two parts 10 and 11 of the casting adjacent the muzzle of thebarrel. i

v The top of both, parts 10 and 11 of the casing is provided with an opening above the hammer, as shown at 40, thecasing rearwardly of this opening being raised slightly, as}

shownat a1, and the top wall of the cast- 7 ing forwardly of said opening being inclined downwardly, as shown at 12, to a point close ly adjacent the perimeter of thedrum 17 so as to act as stripper for the ejection of the exhausted ribbon.

The actionof the spring 33 upon the swing frame 28 is limited by the stop shoulder 43.

- The operation of the herein described toy pistol is substantially as follows Normally, the spring 33 acts upon the 2 swing frame 28 in a manner to force this swing frame into engagement with the stopshoulder 43, thus imparting a normal set-to the trigger 29. lVhen the trigger is so set, the pawl 32 carried by the trigger castingis positioned 'rearwardly .of one of the teeth of the ratchet 18, the clamp segment 31' is spaced a away from the perimeter of the drum17, and the hammer is lowered with its head 21 en-.

gaged with the perimeter .of said-drum.

When it is desired to load the pistol the plate 36 is swung upon its pivot so as to expose thespindle 12 through the opening 34, and a roll 35 of cap ribbon is mounted upon said spindle, the end thereof thereafter-bein threaded between the clamp member31 an ace the perimeter of the drum 17 extending well about the drum.

When it is desired to use the toy,

apull is exerted upon the trigger 29. This trigger not being under the influence of any spring,

will turn freely upon the pivot 30 until the, clamp 31 engages with the portion of the rib-' bon from the roll 35, positioned between itji and the drum. At the same time the pawl 32 will be moved into engagement with the tooth. -When the parts are in this position,

further pivotal movement of the trigger cast r 7 ing about the pivot 30 is prevented. Continned trigger action imparts a swinging' 18 will rock the hammer awayfrom the drum, 5 against the tensionof the spring 26 as this tooth passes the spur. With disengagement of the tooth from the spur, the spring 26 causes the hammer to violently impact with the drum 17 or with a portion of the ribbon positioned between the hammer head and said I drum.

turn movement of the swin frame the awl b 3 32 rides over the succeeding tooth of the ratchet wheel 18, permitting a return move ment of said frame, and at the same time moving the clamp member 31 away from the drum and disengaging it from the ribbon passing about the drum. During this return movement the hammer head 21 exerts sufficient pressure thereon to prevent the ribbon being carried back with the clamp member, and the spur 23 prevents return movement of the drum. During this movement the trigger casting has a normal tendency to fall by gravity away from the drum, thus preventing the development of friction between the pawl 32 and the ratchet wheel 18 suflicient to overcome the friction between the spur 23 and the ratchet 18.

It will be noted, in the above described operation, that the hammer is actuated by a feeding mechanism consisting of the drum 17 and its ratchet wheel 18, and not by any direct action of the trigger mechanism thereon. It will also be noted that the hammer mechanism prevents the drawing back of the ribbon as a result of the return movement of the piston and also contributes toward the desired operation of the feeding mechanism by holding the drum against reverse rotation with the trigger and clamp mechanism.

In a toy pistol embodying the invention there is no tendency toward a failure of the feeding mechanism to advance the ribbon with each actuation of the trigger, and the trigger mechanism at all times will operate under uniform conditions, thus eliminating possibility of the toy becoming inoperative because of interference with the trigger action.

As the toy is repeatedly actuated, the used end of the ribbon is automatically advanced through the opening 40, and along the strip per member 42. At any time this exhausted portion of the ribbon may be torn from the remainder of the strip without likelihood of disarrangement of the ribbon, or wastage thereof, since the hammer head 21 firmly holds the portion of he ribbon, adjacent the exhausted end thereof, against the gun so as to facilitate this tearing action.

The opening exposes the perimeter of the drum 17, at the point of engagement of the hammer with the ribbon, thus making the flash, due to the explosion of the material carried by the ribbon,visible to the user of the gun, which adds to its attractiveness as a toy. This opening also aflords clearance for the hammer movement.

By the employment of the ratchet wheel 18 for raising the hammer, slight rebound of the hammer may occur without possibility of the disarrangement of parts. Furthermore, this construction permits rapidity in the opera tion of the device which is limited merely by the time required for the trigger to resume its normal forward position.

lVhen the various parts are in their normal position, clearance is afforded between the drum 1'? and the clamp 21 thus permitting ease in the threading of the ribbon in relation to the feeding mechanism.

When pull is exerted upon the trigger following the engagement of the pawl 32 with the ratchet wheel 18 and of the clamp 31 with the ribbon extending about the drum, its movement is resisted by the spring 33 acting upon the spring frame 28 as well as the spring 26 acting upon the hammer.

By actuating the hammer through the medium of the ribbon feeding mechanism, a proper timing of the hammer in relation to the movements of this mechanism is assured, and by developing a positive clamping action upon the ribbon before any movement is imparted to the drum reliability and uniformity in the operation of the feeding mechanism, is assured.

The pistol of the invention is composed of but few parts, none of which are delicate, and these parts are so assembled that there is little or no likelihood of a failure of the mechanisms, except as a result of the breakage of a spring.

It is not my intention to limit the invention to the precise details of construction shown in the accompanying drawing, it being apparent that such may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to have protected by Letters Patent, is

' 1. A toy pistol embodying therein a bipart casing, means for securing the parts of the casing together, a spindle for a reel of ribbon, a rotatable drum, a spring actuated hammer, a spring restored trigger, a clamp member carried by said trigger, a ratchet wheel carried by said drum, means carried by said clamp member cooperating with said ratchet wheel, whereby with the movement of said t igger in one direction, said clamp member will be moved toward said drum and said drum will receive a partial rotation, and with the movement of said trigger in the opposite direction, said clamp member will be moved away from said drum, means carried by said hammer engageable by said ratchet wheel whereby movement of said drum will actuate said hammer, said casing having an opening therein adjacent said ribbon spindle,

said clamp member and said drum, and a movable closure for said opening.

2. A toy pistol embodying therein a bi-part casing, means for securing the parts of the 5 casing together, a spindle for a reel of rlbbon, a rotatable drum, a spring actuated hammer, a ratchet wheel carried by said drum, an oscillatory member mounted to have movement about an axis concentric with that of said drum, a spring acting thereon, an integral trigger, clamp member and pawl pivoted upon said oscillatory member, whereby with the movement of said trigger in one direction, said clamp member will be moved toward said drum and said drum will receive a partial rotation, and with the movement of said trigger in the opposite direction, said clamp member will be moved away from said drum, means carried by said hammer engageable by said ratchet wheel whereby movement of said drum will actuate said hammer, said casing having an opening therein adjacent said ribbon spindle, said clamp member and said drum, and a movable closure for said open- 8. A toy pistol embodying therein a bi-part casing, means for securing the parts of the casing together, a spindle for a reel of ribbon, a rotatable drum, a ratchet wheel carried by said drum, a hammer mounted adjacent, and having a head overhanging, the perimeter thereof, spring normally engaging said hammer with said drum, a spur carried by said hammer engageable with said ratchet 35 wheel, a spring restored trigger, a clamp member carried by said trigger, means carried by said clamp member cooperating with said ratchet wheel, whereby with the movement of said trigger in one direction, said clamp member will be moved toward said drum and said drum will receive a partial rotation, and with the movement of said drum in the opposite direction, said clamp member will have movement away from said drum, said casing having an opening therein adjacent said ribbon spindle, said clamp member and said drum, and a movable closure for said opening.

' 4. A toy pistol embodying therein a bi-part casing, means for securing the parts of the casing together, a spindle for a reel of ribbon, a rotatable drum, a spring actuated hammer, a ratchet wheel carried by said drum and having arbors mounted in the opposite sides of said casing, a swing frame mounted upon one of said arbors, a spring acting upon said swing frame, an integral trigger, clamp memher and pawl pivoted upon said frame, said clamp member cooperating with the perimeter of said drum, and said pawl co-operating with said ratchet wheel, whereby with the movement of said trigger in one direction, said clamp member will be moved toward said drum and said drum will receive a parso tial rotation, and with the movement of said trigger in the opposite direction,.said clamp member will be moved away fromsaid drum, means carried by said hammer engageable by said ratchet wheel whereby movement of said drum will actuate said hammer, said casing 79 having an openingtherein adjacent said rib bon spindle, said clamp member and said drum, and a movable closure for saidopencasing, means for securing the parts of the casing together, a spindle for a reel of ribbon, a rotatable drum having arbors mounted in the opposite sides of said casing, a ratchet wheel carried by said drum, a hammer" mounted adjacent, and having a head overhanging, the perimeter thereof, a spring nor-, mally engaging said hammer with said drum, a spur carried by said hammer 'engageable. with said ratchet wheel, an oscillatory member mounted to have movement about an axis concentric with that of said drum, a spring acting thereon, an integral trigger, clamp member and pawl pivoted upon said oscillatory member, whereby with the movement of said trigger in one direction, said clamp member will be moved toward said drum and said drum will receive a partial rotation, and with the movement of said drum in the opposite direction, said clamp member will have movement away from said drum, said casing having an opening therein adjacent said ribbon spindle, said clamp member and said, drum, and a movable closure for said 1 opening. I 7

6. A toy pistol embodying therein a bi-part casing, means for securing the parts of the casing together, a spindle for a'reel of rib bon, a rotatable drum having'arbors mounted in the opposite sides of said casing, a ratchet m wheel carried by said drum, a hammer mounted adjacent, and having a head overhanging, the perimeter thereof, a sprin normally engaging said hammer with sai drum, a spur carried by said hammer en- 3 gageable with said ratchet wheel, a swing frame mounted upon one of said arbors, a. spring acting upon saidswing frame, an integral trigger, clamp member and pawl pivoted upon said frame, said clamp member 00- i operating with the perimeter of said drum, and said pawl co-operating with said ratchet wheel, whereby with the movement of said trigger in one direction, said clamp member will be moved toward said drum and said drum will receive a partial rotation, and with the movementof said drum in the opposite direction, said clamp member will have movement away from said drum, said casing having an opening therein adjacent said ribbon spindle, said clamp member and said drum, i and a movable closure for said opening. 7. A toy pistol embodying therein a. bi-'@ part casing, means for securing the parts of the casingtogether, a spindle for a reel of 3 5. A toy pistol embodying therein a bi-part ribbon, a rotatable drum, a spring actuated hammer, a spring restored trigger, a clamp member carried by said trigger, a ratchet. wheel carried by said drum, means carried by said clamp member co-operating with said ratchet wheel, whereby with the movement of said trigger in one direction, said clamp member will be moved toward said drum and said drum will receive a partial rotation, and with the movement of said trigger in the opposite direction, said clamp member will be moved away from said drum, means carried by said hammer engageable by said ratchet wheel whereby movement of said drum will actuate said hammer, said casing having an opening therein adjacent said ribbon spindle, said clamp member and said drum, a movable closure for said opening having a boss, a spring in said boss, and a screw passing through said boss and engaging said spring, whereby said cover plate may move freely.

8. A toy pistol embodying therein a bipart casing, means for securing the parts of the casing together, a spindle for a reel of ribbon, a rotatable drum having arbors mounted in the opposite sides of said casing, a ratchet wheel carried by said drum, a hammer mounted adjacent, and having a head overhanging, the perimeter thereof, a spring normally engaging said hammer with said drum, a spur carried by said hammer engageable with said ratchet wheel, a swing frame mounted upon one of said arbors, a spring acting upon said swing frame, and integral trigger, clamp member and pawl pivoted upon said frame, said clamp member co-opcrating with the perimeter of said drum, and said pawl co-operating with said ratchet wheel, whereby with the movement of said trigger in one direction, said clamp memher will be moved toward said drum and said drum will receive a partial rotation, and with the movement of said drum in the opposite direction, said clamp member will have movement away from said drum, said casing having an opening therein adjacent said ribbon spindle, said clamp member and said drum, a movable closure for said opening having a boss, a spring in said boss, and a screw passing through said boss and engaging said spring, whereby said cover plate may move freely.

9. A toy pistol embodying therein a bi-part casing, means for securing the parts of the casing together, a spindle for a reel of ribbon, a rotatable drum, a spring actuated hammer, a ratchet wheel carried by said drum, an oscillatory member mounted to have movement about an axis concentric with that of said drum, a spring acting thereon, an integral trigger, curved clamp member conforming to, and extending along, the periphery of said drum and pawl pivoted upon said oscillatory member, whereby with the movement of said trigger in one direction, said clamp member will be moved toward said drum and said drum will receive a partial rotation, and with the movement of said trigger in the opposite direction, said clamp member will be moved away from said drum, means carried by said hammer engageable by said ratchet wheel whereby movement of said drum will actuate said hammer, said casing having an opening therein adjacent said ribbon spindle, said clamp member and said drum, and a movable closure for said opening.

10. A toy pistol embodying therein a bipart casing, means for securing the parts of the casing together, a spindle for a reel of ribbon, a rotatable drum having arbors mounted in the opposite sides of said casing, a ratchet wheel carried by said drum, a ham mer mounted adjacent, and having a head overhanging, the perimeter thereof, a spring normally engaging said hammer with said drum, a spur carried by said hammer engageable with said ratchet wheel, a swing frame mounted upon one of said arbors, a spring acting upon said swing frame, an integral trigger, curved clamp member conforming to, and extending along, the periphery of said drum and pawl pivoted upon said frame, said clamp member co-operating with the perimeter of said drum, and said pawl co-operating with said ratchet wheel, whereby with the movement of said trigger in one direction, said clamp member will be moved toward said drum and said drum will receive a partial rotation, and with the movement of said drum in the opposite direction, said clamp member will have movement away from said drum, said casing having an opening therein adjacent said ribbon spindle, said clamp member and said drum, and a movable closure for said opening.

In witness whereof I have hereunto afiixed my signature, this 5th day of March 1932.

WILLIAM H. BREWSTER, JR. 

